Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Asteliaceae Dumort.
Genus
Astelia Banks & Sol. ex R.Br.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Astelia skottsbergii L.B.Moore, New Zealand J. Bot. 4: 218, fig. 5, 6, 7 (1966)
 Description

Colonies consisting of stout tufts, resembling small Phormium plants in habit and texture. Stem 1.5–2.5 cm. diam. Lvs 35–150 × 2.5–4 cm., firm and coriac., only slightly constricted above sheath, keeled, and ± revolute on margins; sheath to 8 cm. wide at base, thickly covered on both surfaces with long silvery scales; lamina long-acuminate, adaxially light bluish green turning reddish brown in old age, glab. when old but in youth ± covered with erect, easily detached scales; abaxial surface at first white with slightly shaggy scales, later green and glab., finely ribbed with subequal nerves, 25–30 on each side of midrib. Infl. elongate, thickly covered with spreading, white, caducous scales; spathes long; racemes 5–10, simple, cylindric and standing ± erect, the neatly arranged fls almost hiding the axes; female racemes c. 4 × 1.5 cm., male longer. Fls greenish fawn; tepals c. 4–5 × 3–4 mm., strongly recurved in both sexes. Ovary 3-locular, broad. Fr. globose or broadest above middle, 10–14 × 5.5–8 mm., yellow to orange, seated in deep cup formed by partly thickened per.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–Jan.; Fruiting: Mar.–May.

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Moore, L.B. 1966: Australasian Asteliads (Liliaceae); with Special Reference to New Zealand Species of Astelia Subgenus Tricella. New Zealand Journal of Botany 4: 201–240.